February 17th 2024.
Cole Palmer made a big impression when he joined Chelsea last year, and Pep Guardiola has taken responsibility for Manchester City's loss of the talented young player. Despite being part of City's treble-winning team last season, Palmer decided to make the move to London and it has proven to be a wise decision. This season, he has been a standout performer for Chelsea, impressing fans and critics alike with his skills on the pitch.
Guardiola acknowledges that he did not give Palmer as much playing time as he would have liked, and understands why the 21-year-old sought out a new opportunity. "For young players, we always want them to stay, but it's normal for them to want more minutes on the field after a couple of seasons," the City manager said. "If I had given Palmer the same amount of minutes as I did to Phil [Foden] from the beginning, he would still be here, but I didn't make that decision. That is my responsibility."
The manager goes on to explain that there were other players, such as Bernardo Silva, Riyad Mahrez, and Foden, who were ahead of Palmer in the pecking order at City. But he also understands that after a while, young players become eager for more playing time and may seek it elsewhere. "After one or two seasons, it's understandable that they want to play and not sit on the bench," Guardiola says. "As a club, we understand this and we received an offer from a top club like Chelsea. I am happy for him, and these types of things happen at all clubs."
Palmer's impact at Chelsea has been undeniable, and he scored a crucial equalizer against City from the penalty spot when the two teams met earlier this season. With 12 goals and nine assists in all competitions, he is the top scorer and assist-maker for Chelsea this season. Guardiola recognizes the quality that Palmer possesses and the danger he poses to his former team. "We knew the potential he had, and he has shown it this season with his impressive performances," the manager says. "It's not just about goals and assists, it's about his overall contribution to the team. He is a real threat for Chelsea."
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